FANTASY FOOTBALL ARTICLES

David Dorey's Wide Receiver Bust

Anquan Boldin, ArizonaAfter years in the Denny Green offense where the entire scheme revolved around throwing to either Larry Fitzgerald or Boldin, it’s almost hard to imagine what Boldin will be like in a balanced attack which will ask him to block more than receive and that will prefer the run over the pass. Boldin won’t fall off the map but he will be drafted by someone recalling his performance in an offense that no longer exists. Fitzgerald takes the step up here and Boldin becomes a traditional #2 wideout – and only if he can remain healthy.

Scott Boyter's Wide Receiver Bust

Braylon Edwards, Cleveland
See Jamal Lewis. Edwards is a No. 1-level talent who will be taken relatively early in a lot of fantasy leagues. Let someone else make that mistake, though, because the Cleveland offense looks like it will be a train wreck this season.

Brent Clement's Wide Receiver Bust

Mike Furry, DetroitThis has got to be THE wide receiver bust. Seriously, this guy won’t come close to duplicating half his numbers from a year ago. The drafting of Calvin Johnson should eliminate Furry, the #14 WR from a year ago, from even being drafted in a lot of leagues. But there will be those who strictly look at last year’s stats and draft him anyway.

Michael Courter's Wide Receiver Bust

Isaac Bruce, St. Louis
Each passing season should be the year that the 13-year veteran starts to tank and to his credit, he has defied the odds and continued to scrabble together respectable stat lines like last year (74 receptions for 1,098 yards and three scores). However, the Rams were active this off-season, bringing in WR Drew Bennett (Titans) and TE Randy McMichael (Miami) through free agency, and obtaining versatile FB Brian Leonard (Rutgers) in the 2nd Round of the 2007 Draft, leaving scant few chances for the ol’ warhorse to impact the fantasy football world. And did I mention Bruce turns 35 years old this November?

Bob Cunningham's Wide Receiver Bust

Marvin Harrison, Indianapolis I love the guy. And his career has been sensational. But he’s ranked as a consensus top 5 receiver and there’s no way that will happen unless Reggie Wayne gets hurt early. Wayne will be an elite fantasy receiver, but Harrison will be merely decent. If you get him in the middle rounds, as the 20th-25th receiver taken, it’s a good pick. But if you grab him right after someone snares Chad Johnson – and before Wayne is gone – it would be a big mistake.

Joe Levit's Wide Receiver Bust

Steve Smith, Carolina
A lot of owners are drafting him as a top-three fantasy wideout. I sorry to say, he just doesn’t qualify. A top fantasy wide receiver needs to consistently put points in your pocket, and Smith has done that well in only one season. I expect Carolina to put the ball in the hands of DeAngelo Williams and DeShaun Foster a lot. Dwayne Jarrett will get some receptions too, so though Smith will still break a few big plays don’t expect him to produce like a top receiver, or you will be disappointed.

Kevin Ratterree's Wide Receiver Busts

Randy Moss, New England
Some thing never changes. Every year Moss is on my bust list, and he never fails to come through for me.

Mark Clayton, Baltimore
Lots of people expect Clayton to leap into the top 20 WR range this season. But after watching a season of McNair throwing him the ball, I am convinced that Clayton's development is stymied by the serious limitations of his QB. I included Clayton on my sleepers list last season, but I am downgrading him this year. I still like his long term potential, but those looking for a true breakout season should pray that Kyle Boller comes back into the fold. Oh my God, did I just say that out loud?

Reggie Brown, Philadelphia
Reggie was included in my Players to Avoid column. I think depending on him as a WR2 is a mistake, and there are WR's being drafted after him that I like better.

Paul Sandy's Wide Receiver Bust

Plaxico Burress, NY Giants
Burress actually turned in a solid 2006 season, putting up nearly 1,000 yards and scoring 10 TDs. But don’t bet your season a repeat performance. He relies on the big play and without Tiki Barber to worry about, defenses will roll coverage Burress’ way. Plus he tends to loaf and pout, which always makes him a risk to end up in Tom Coughlin’s doghouse. Look for around 850 yards and 6 TDs. That’ll make him an okay WR3 but a weak WR2 and certainly not a WR1.

Darin Tietgen's Wide Receiver Bust

Terrell Owens, DallasI mulled this over for awhile, and really didn’t want to offer up a projected bust based on a hunch, but here goes. I think Owens’ age starts to catch up with him this year and his injury history comes into play. He’s already had hamstring tightness and back spasms. Is this just another TO ploy to keep out of training camp? Perhaps, but at 33 years old, having repeated hamstring issues and now lower back issues is cause for concern, especially for a WR that’s not afraid to go over the middle. Personally, I’d rather have Reggie Wayne, Roy Williams or Andre Johnson, who are being drafted just after Owens in most mock drafts. Add in the fact that Terry Glenn (despite his age and injury concerns) remains a very solid downfield threat and Patrick Crayton waiting in the wings.